Mary Jo Campbell Biography
Mary Jo Campbell, widely known as MJ, was an American businesswoman, former model, and television personality. She gained worldwide recognition as Kris Jenner’s mother and the beloved matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Although she stayed away from the spotlight for many years, she later became a familiar face on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians.
She passed away in July 2026 at the age of 91, leaving behind a lasting family legacy. Born in 1934 in Arkansas, Mary Jo Campbell displayed resilience from an early age. She worked as a model before opening Shannon & Company, a successful children’s clothing boutique. Her entrepreneurial journey later inspired Kris Jenner’s own business ambitions.
Additionally, Mary Jo became known for her strong work ethic and determination. Mary married three times during her life. She shared two daughters, Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton, with her first husband, Robert Houghton. Later, she married Harry Shannon, whose surname she also used publicly as Mary Jo Shannon. Throughout the years, she remained deeply devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Moreover, she survived both breast cancer and colon cancer, demonstrating remarkable strength. She frequently appeared alongside her family on television and attended important family celebrations, including Kourtney Kardashian’s 2022 wedding. Her warmth, humor, and wisdom earned admiration from viewers worldwide.
In July 2026, Kris Jenner announced Mary Jo Campbell’s passing through an emotional tribute. She described her mother as “the heart of our family.” Mary Jo’s influence continues through her family, whose success reflects the values she instilled. Today, Mary Jo Campbell’s biography represents resilience, entrepreneurship, family devotion, and an enduring legacy within one of entertainment’s most recognized families.
Mary Jo Campbell Age
How Old was Kris Jenner’s Mum?
Mary Jo Campbell was 91 years old when she passed away in July 2026. She was born on July 26, 1934, in Arkansas, United States. Although she lived a largely private life, she later became a familiar television personality through the Kardashian-Jenner family’s reality shows. Mary Jo Campbell’s age reflected a lifetime of resilience, family devotion, and entrepreneurship. Even in her later years, she remained active in family celebrations and public appearances. Her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mary Jo Campbell’s Height
How Tall was Mary Jo Campbell?
Mary Jo Campbell stood approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall. While she never focused on her physical measurements publicly, she carried herself with elegance throughout her life. As a former model, her graceful appearance complemented her confident personality. Additionally, she became a familiar face on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians. Campbell’s height matched her poised presence, which remained admired by her family and television audiences alike.
Mary Jo Campbell Husband
Mary Jo Campbell married three times during her lifetime. Her first marriage was to her high school sweetheart, but the relationship ended after only two months. She later married Robert Houghton, an aircraft engineer and the father of Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton. However, the couple divorced in 1962, when Kris was seven years old. Afterward, Mary Jo Campbell married businessman Harry Shannon. Their marriage lasted for about 40 years until Harry died in a car accident in 2003. Kris Jenner often described Harry as her father figure because he played a significant role in raising her. Mary Jo Campbell’s husband, Harry Shannon, also supported the family’s successful children’s boutique, Shannon & Company. Together, they built a strong family foundation that continues through the Kardashian-Jenner generations.
Mary Jo Campbell Children: Kris Jenner’s Mother
Mary Jo Campbell had two daughters, Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton, with her second husband, Robert Houghton. She raised both children after her divorce and remained a devoted mother throughout their lives. Additionally, her later marriage to Harry Shannon provided the family with stability, and Kris often described him as a father figure. Karen Houghton passed away in March 2024, while Kris continues to honor her mother’s legacy. Mary Jo Campbell’s children frequently credited her with teaching resilience, kindness, and strong family values. Through Kris, Mary Jo also became the grandmother of the Kardashian-Jenner family, leaving an enduring legacy across generations.
Mary Jo Campbell Grandchildren
Mary Jo Campbell was the proud grandmother of six grandchildren through her daughter, Kris Jenner. Her grandchildren are Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner. She maintained close relationships with each of them and appeared alongside several family members on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians. Additionally, Mary Jo became a great-grandmother to numerous children, further expanding the Kardashian-Jenner family tree. Mary Jo Campbell’s grandchildren frequently celebrated her milestones and honored her role as the family’s beloved matriarch. Her love, guidance, and support left a lasting impact across multiple generations.
Mary Jo Campbell’s Ethnicity
Mary was of White American ethnicity and had European ancestry. She was born in Arkansas, United States, on July 26, 1934, and spent most of her life in California. Through her daughter, Kris Jenner, Mary Jo became the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Mary Jo Campbell’s ethnicity reflects her American upbringing rather than a publicly documented multicultural heritage. While her family’s ancestry includes European roots, Mary Jo preferred to keep the focus on her family, business career, and lasting legacy.
Mary Jo Campbell Death: Kris Jenner’s Mother Dies at 91
Mary Jo Campbell, affectionately known as MJ, passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 91. Her daughter, Kris Jenner, announced the heartbreaking news through an emotional social media tribute. Kris described her mother as “the heart of our family” and praised her for teaching love, kindness, resilience, and family values. Mary Jo Campbell’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. She had previously survived breast and colon cancer and remained an inspiring presence in her family’s life. Through her appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians, Kris Jenner’s mother became a beloved television personality whose legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mary Jo Campbell’s Parents and Family Tree
Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell was born to Gordon Lowe Campbell and Lou Ethel Campbell (née Lou Ethel). She also had a half-sister named Frances, although she kept much of her early family life private. Despite her family’s growing public profile, Mary Jo rarely discussed her parents or childhood in interviews. Mary Jo Campbell’s family tree expanded through her two daughters, Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton, from her marriage to Robert Houghton. Through Kris, she became the grandmother of Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner. She also welcomed numerous great-grandchildren, making her the respected matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family. She passed away in July 2026 at the age of 91, left behind a lasting legacy that continues through several generations of one of entertainment’s most influential families.
Mary Jo Campbell Net Worth
Mary Jo Campbell’s net worth was estimated at around $5 million at the time of her death in July 2026. Most of her wealth came from her successful children’s boutique, Shannon & Company, which she operated for decades. She also earned income from modeling and television appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians. Campbell’s net worth reflected her lifelong entrepreneurial success rather than her family’s fame. Her business achievements also inspired her daughter, Kris Jenner, to pursue a successful career in management and entertainment.
